Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on north London, Arsenal will welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for their heavyweight first-leg showdown on Tuesday night.
Arsenal
Starting with the hosts, fully accepting that their Premier League title dreams are over for another season, it is no secret that Arsenal have placed all of their eggs in the European basket. Failing to pick up some crucial momentum over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Everton, Mikel Arteta’s men will certainly be excited to make a return to north London here. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 2-1 victory against Fulham, the Gunners do hold an impressive Champions League record on home soil. Signing off their group stage adventure with a routine 3-0 romp against Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal are unbeaten in all of their last 10 European showdowns at the Emirates – a run that stems all the way back to a 5-1 drumming against Bayern Munich in March 2017.
Arsenal Team News
In what is a huge blow for the Gunners, Arsenal confirmed last week that defensive talisman Gabriel Magalhaes will miss the remainder of the season through a hamstring injury. Likewise, both still dealing with respective long-term issues, the duo of Gabriel Jesus and former Chelsea star Kai Havertz will miss out.
Making a pair of cameo appearances off the bench since returning from March’s International break, England international Bukayo Saka should make a first start of 2025. Likewise, handed a rest away at Everton over the weekend, skipper Martin Odegaard will make a full return here.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have booked their quarter-final spot last month as they edged past arch-rivals Atletico following an infamous penalty shootout at the Metropolitano, Los Blancos have struggled to find much stability. Suffering major last-gasp heartbreak at home against Valencia on Saturday as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat, Carlo Ancelotti’s side saw their La Liga title dreams get hit with a real blow. Although the Spanish icons might be looking to collect a crucial first-leg advantage here, Madrid have shown some worrying defensive issues. Despite marking their return from March’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 win against relegation scrappers Leganes, Ancelotti’s camp have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
Real Madrid Team News
Returning to first-team training over the weekend, number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could make a timely return between the sticks on Tuesday night. However, suffering a long-term hamstring injury against Atletico last month, French defender Ferland Mendy will miss the remainder of the season.
Enjoying a record-breaking run since completing his blockbuster move from PSG last summer, Kylian Mbappe will be looking to add to his seven Champions League goals here. Eduardo Camavinga could be handed a full recall and replace Luka Modric.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- Tuesday’s showdown at the Emirates will be the first competitive meeting between Arsenal and Real Madrid since way back in 2006.
- Real Madrid have failed to record a clean sheet in their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, Los Blancos have conceded at least a pair of goals in three of their last four outings.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in all of their last 10 European showdowns at the Emirates – a run that stems all the way back to a 5-1 drumming against Bayern Munich in March 2017.
- Six of Madrid’s last seven away fixtures across all competitions has finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
In what promises to be a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, we could be set for an enjoyable battle from north London. With Real Madrid failing to muster a single clean sheet from any of their last eight appearances across all fronts, Los Blancos have certainly gained a reputation for their lively outcomes. Including their last-gasp 2-1 loss at home against Valencia over the weekend, Ancelotti’s squad has seen six of their previous seven contests away from the Bernabeu finish with both teams finding the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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